— struggler , n. — strugglingly , adv.
/strug"euhl/ , v. , struggled, struggling , n.
v.i.
1. to contend with an adversary or opposing force.
2. to contend resolutely with a task, problem, etc.; strive: to struggle for existence.
3. to advance with violent effort: to struggle through the snow.
4. (of athletes and competitors) to be coping with inability to perform well or to win; contend with difficulty: After struggling for the whole month of June, he suddenly caught fire and raised his batting average 30 points.
v.t.
5. to bring, put, etc., by struggling: She struggled the heavy box into a corner.
6. to make (one's way) with violent effort.
n.
7. the process or an act or instance of struggling.
8. a war, fight, conflict, or contest of any kind.
9. a task or goal requiring much effort to accomplish or achieve.
[ 1350-1400; ME struglen, stroglen, freq. v. (see -LE) formed on a base of obscure orig. ]
Syn. 1. oppose, contest, fight, conflict. 7. endeavor, exertion. 8. encounter, skirmish. STRUGGLE, BRUSH, CLASH refer to a hostile meeting of opposing persons, parties, or forces. STRUGGLE implies vigorous bodily effort or violent exertion: a hand-to-hand struggle. A BRUSH is a brief, but smart, and often casual combat: a brush between patrols. CLASH implies a direct and sharp collision between opposing parties, efforts, interests, etc.: a clash of opinions.